Mayor of the Sunset Strip (2003)
Fragile, Andy Warhol look alike, Rodney Bingenheimer is the Mayor of the Sunset Strip (2003). If you have no idea who radio DJ (KROQ in LA) Rodney is then you’re in for a treat.
This documentary takes a look at Rodney’s rise from rock fan, journalist, club owner to radio DJ. Since 1976 he’s been known as a DJ—the first one in the US to play and promote several bands such as Coldplay, Oasis, The Smiths, Blondie and Joan Jett.
He’s obsessed with being in the company of famous musicians and actors. In the 70s, Robert Plant claimed that Rodney had more “action” with the groupies and band-aids than he did. Hard to believe when you look at Rodney now and see him in the film.
You can’t help but feel sorry for Rodney when you watch this film. His mother divorced when he was very young. He spent most of his childhood alone, became very popular in the 70s but now finds himself alone again. He knows everyone and is friends with no one.
He’s still looking for the girl of his dreams. His radio show now airs on Sunday nights from midnight till 3 AM. When I look at Rodney today I see a sad and lonely man who is fading away. Watch the film and you’ll see this time and time again.
Mayor of the Sunset Strip is fascinating. Rodney is a great subject for a documentary and there is a huge celebrity factor to the film that I think most viewers will enjoy. If you enjoyed something like The Kid Stays In the Picture (2002) then you can’t go wrong with Mayor of the Sunset Strip.
Stumble It!Posted in DVD Reviews at 12:02 PM
Comments
Glad you liked this. Did it remind you at all of Arthur Kane in “New York Doll”?
You can see my review of the film here:
http://www.consolationchamps.com/archives/2003/09/mayor_of_the_su.html
“Spaceman” Ronald Vaughan has commented several times on this entry.
Posted by: James on December 15, 2005 1:21 PM
Actually, though I’ve commented several times
on this MOVIE, in various places, this is the
first I’ve seen of James’ entry…I don’t
compare RODNEY B. to Arthur Kane of the New
York Dolls; RODNEY is an impresario who likes
and promotes music, rather than being a musician
…and this is the first I’ve ever heard of
“bombipppy.com”. It LOOKS similar to a couple
of other websites, though. And sometimes other
people, I guess, have tried to impersonate me,
LOL!
Anyway, this is an OK review…but, with first-
hand knowledge, the movie wasn’t what it should
have been…and its sadness is colored by George
Hickenlooper’s “dark” attitude…and his occas-
ional fabrications…such as having Kim Fowley
mouth off about “Rodney being dropped off at
Connie Stevens’ house by his late mother” (which
is a lie).
RODNEY is going to get his “Star” on the Walk of
Fame after 2006. Somebody with money to burn
(preferably $3 Millions) should come forward…
to RE-EDIT and RE-CUT this movie…into a 3-hour
extravaganza…Somebody who discovered HALF THE
ACTS IN THE MUSIC BUSINESS deserves better than
what he got…
And don’t say that RB has no friends! I AM one…
and the ONLY person trusted to move his belong-
ings across the street…nearly a decade ago!
Posted by: Ronald Vaughan on December 17, 2005 1:30 PM
Update:
RODNEY is confirmed to receive his Hollywood
“Star” in November, 2007!
Posted by: Ronald Vaughan on September 12, 2006 11:28 PM
